Mayrhofen Ski Holidays

Description

Mayrhofen has grown in both size and reputation over the last few years, with lively après – including the annual Snowbombing music festival – being a major draw. However, the appeal extends much further than just the energetic party scene: Mayrhofen’s snow reliability, charming traditional village, rural setting and varied slopes make it an appealing destination for one and all.

The local ski area has just over 133km of terrain, but you can upgrade to the full area lift pass for an extra 508km of skiing across the Ziller Valley. The best place for beginners is the Ahorn area – its high, snow-sure slopes are great for taking your first turns. The Penken area has lots of blue and red pistes to progress onto and experts can attempt the infamous Harakari piste – the steepest run in Austria with a 78 degree gradient! Better still, the resort has great off-piste potential and one of the best snow parks around: the Vans Penken Park.

Party animals will be glad to know that Mayrhofen has a strong après-ski scene, with lively celebrations starting on the mountain and carrying on in town long into the night. Families in search of peace and serenity need not fret: the resort has plenty of quiet areas away from the noise, and there are some excellent childcare facilities and off-slope activities too. While it may not be a foodies paradise, the resort is home to a variety of great-value mountain restaurants, which are generally less expensive than those you’d find in Switzerland or France.

Holidaymakers interested in Mayrhofen can fly from a number of UK airports to Innsbruck, from which the resort is roughly an hour’s transfer away. One can also catch a train to Mayrhofen via Jenbach.

Getting There

When to Go

Where to Stay

Getting around

Apres

Mayrhofen’s après-ski and partying reputation seems to grow each year, perhaps due in part to the resort’s now world-renowned Snowbombing music festival in April each year.

One of the major attractions come 3.30pm is the extremely lively Ice Bar in the Hotel Strass, located next to the Penkenbahn base station. The place really kicks off from 4.30pm and is mainly frequented by Brits, Dutch, Germans and Swedes. If you want to hang with the seasonaires, a popular haunt is Scotland Yard: a British-themed pub that formerly housed the resort’s police station. For classic Austrian après with live traditional bands, the Bruck’n Stadl is the place to go, and those looking to party until the early hours will want to remember Schlusselalm, which stays open later than anywhere else and offers all kinds of music and DJs.

For a more relaxed après-ski beverage when 3:30pm rolls around, the White Lounge is a stunning slope-side igloo bar up in the Ahorn area with a laid-back atmosphere. Another great choice is Harakiri Bar: a very modern establishment with some sophistication and pleasant snacks. Happy End, meanwhile, is a nice quiet bar with a great range of drinks.

Eating out

Mayrhofen offers a range of great dining options for different tastes and budgets, including some delectable traditional cuisine.

On the slopes, Schneekarhutte is an excellent place to stop for a long lunch, with mostly organic and locally sourced produce and an exclusive wine list. For a quick pit stop, Lattenalm is a nice little snack hut, and for lunch with a spectacular view, Freiraum am Ahorn and Gschosswandhutte are great picks.

In town, the Waldcafe restaurant is rated highly for its classic local food, which comes at excellent value for money – a brilliant choice for feeding hungry kids. Mamma Mia is another great value option, serving up delicious Italian food.

If you’re looking for something with copious historic charm, it’s hard to go past the Wirtshaus zum Griena. Here, you can enjoy traditional Austrian meals in a 400-year-old dining room – which affords a wonderfully quaint atmosphere. The Hotel Neue Post restaurant is another top-notch choice for traditional culinary delights and a cosy ambiance.

For groups of mates seeking hearty portions, the Strass Sports Bar and Grill plates up generous servings of international foods like steak, chips and curry. For a lively atmosphere, Mo's Bar plays a variety of jazz, rock, pop and blues tunes, plus they serve great Mediterranean and Caribbean food. For a big feed on the mountain, head to the historic Ahornhutte at the top of the Ahorn lift.

Below, you’ll find a few top restaurants for families, couples and groups of friends, as well as some excellent on-mountain dining options.

Good for Couples

Freiraum am Ahorn

On Piste Restaurant

Ahornstraße 853

Mayrhofen

+43 528 562 277

Good for Couples

Hotel Neue Post Restaurant

Hauptstraße 400

Mayrhofen

+43 528 562 131

Good for Couples

Wirtshaus zum Griena

Dorfhaus 768

Mayrhofen

+43 528 562 778

Good for Family

Mamma Mia

Einfahrt Mitte 432

Mayrhofen

+43 5285 6768

Good for Family

Waldcafe

Peter-Habeler-Straße 556

Mayrhofen

+43 664 4607 317

Good for Friends

Cafe Tirol

Hauptstraße 448

Mayrhofen

+43 528 562 320

Good for Friends

Mo's Bar

Hauptstraße 417

Mayrhofen

+43 528 563 4350

Good for Friends

Strass Sports Bar and Grill

Hauptstraße 470

Mayrhofen

+43 5285 6705

Activities

For non-skiers or those looking to shake things up sans skis, there are plenty of ways to amuse yourself in Mayrhofen.

One of the most popular pastimes is tobogganing, which is possible through the day and into the evening. Action Club Zillertal offers night tobogganing down an illuminated 7km track, which includes a pit stop at a quaint hut halfway down the mountain.

Hiking is another fantastic choice for all ages, not to mention a perfect way to explore the stunning mountain scenery. In fact, many come to Mayrhofen solely for the winter walking trails in and around the resort. The next step up is snowshoeing with an experienced guide, which gives you the opportunity to explore untouched powder and reach the highest peaks.

Ski School

Getting around

Family ski

Group Ski

Childcare

For families with young kids, there are a number of excellent childcare providers in the resort.

Mayrhofen Total ski school run a crèche for kids as young as 2, with options ranging from several hours to a full day with lunch provided. Wuppy’s Kinderland, meanwhile, takes children between 3 months and 7 years and offers craft activities and outdoor fun in good weather.

Otherwise, there are a variety of private nannies in Mayrhofen and plenty of activities to keep the kids entertained, including tobogganing and ice skating.